GameZone's very serious list of top 50 Wii games (#30 - #21)

For many, the Wii was an inferior machine that wasn’t worth even touching due to its lack of HD graphics. For those of us who had a slightly more open mind, however, the system was a box of delight. Well, delight mixed with some disappointment, but there was certainly delight. And while we had to look past games like [insert lame mini-game collection] and [insert movie tie-in with weak Wiimote waggle], there were still some absolutely wonderful experiences on the platform. We’ve already gotten through 20 of 'em, and you bet we’re going to keep it up until we get to 50.

Arc Rise Fantasia was certainly nowhere near perfect, but it still provided a strong RPG experience that’s actually quite underrated. The game received mixed reviews across the board, but it was still a pleasant romp worth playing if you were a fan of the genre and owned a Wii. Upgrading characters and battling awesome bosses were definitely two of the game’s strongest points, making this criminally underappreciated title a true winner for many.

29. Mario Kart Wii

Nintendo releases a new Mario Kart game on every one of its platforms, and the Wii was no exception. Mario Kart Wii was yet another competent entry in the company’s long-running racing franchise. With a mix of new and classic stages, the game invited friends to get together and enjoy its brand of entertaining kart racing. Throw in a solid online multiplayer mode and Mario Kart Wii was undoubtedly a true spectacle of competitive fun.

28. MadWorld

Who says the Wii’s just for kids? While its brand of violence could definitely be described as cartoony, MadWorld was still a totally brutal game rife with delicious Sin City-esque style. The game featured a distinct black-and-white graphical look, but with a few swift swipes of protagonist Jack’s chainsaw arm, it didn’t take long to fill the screen with tons of red blood. MadWorld was one of the few examples this console generation that 3D beat ‘em ups could really work, and even though it was over after about five hours, it was one hell of a ride from start to finish.

27. Trauma Team

What Wii owners got with Trauma Team was an extremely well-made, incredibly enjoyable entry in Atlus' surgeon-themed franchise. The game featured several noticeable nuances to help it stand out amongst its predecessors, as well as the tried and true gameplay that helped make the series a success in the first place. It’s a bit surprising that we didn’t see more than two installments of Trauma Center on the Wii considering just how great and memorable Trauma Team was.

26. de Blob

Despite the fact that the 3D platformer isn’t as prevalent as it once was, de Blob was one of few games that dared to return to that spectrum. Simply put, the game was a sheer joy to play. With its vibrant visuals, charming style, puzzle gameplay, and colorful 3D world, de Blob was a thrill ride worthy of any Wii owner’s time. The game eventually got a sequel — and a damn fine one at that — but nothing can quite compare to the sheer giddiness that the original bestowed upon players.

25. Red Steel 2

The first Red Steel had a ton of potential to be one of the Wii’s first big third-party hits but ultimately left a lot to be desired. Red Steel 2, on the other hand, was a substantially improved game over the original. The game featured an enjoyable combination of first-person shooting gameplay and hack-and-slash action, providing everything the first game never could and cementing itself as one of the Wii’s best games.

24. Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure

Due to the Wii’s focus on motion controls, the point-and-click adventure genre was a no-brainer on the machine. One of the most brilliant examples of a successful entry in the genre for the Wii was Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure. The game offered players a varied experience rife with a plethora of amazingly rewarding puzzles and memorable moments. Seriously, it’s ridiculously awesome building a parachute out of an umbrella as you fall out of a plane ... and that’s just in the game’s tutorial!

23. New Super Mario Bros. Wii

There’s no denying that 3D Mario games are an absolute blast, but there’s something to be said about throwback 2D experiences. New Super Mario Bros. Wii was a stellar blend of old school gameplay and modern refinements, delivering a balanced platforming adventure that was intuitive, challenging, and rewarding. Was the co-op a bit on the hectic side? When you had four players onscreen at once, yes, it definitely was. That said, it was still kind of cool playing around in a Mario world with friends. As a 2D Mario game, this entry in the franchise was a proper example of 2D platforming excellence.

22. Metroid: Other M

Let’s get all of the cynical “Samus was an overdramatic punk and the story was too much” stuff out of the way before we begin, okay? We can wait ... All right, now that that’s out of the way, there’s no denying the fact that Metroid: Other M was a unique shift for the series. After the Prime games delivered near perfect first-person adventure gameplay, Metroid was taken in a different direction. Other M featured third-person action, magnificent level design, wonderful visuals, and creepy interstellar themes. The game is easily one of the most underrated endeavors on the Wii, but for gamers who gave it a chance, it proved to be a delight. Also, the story wasn’t bad, okay? Geez!

21. Sonic Colors

Speaking of underrated games, how great was Sonic Colors on the Wii? Seriously, that game was awesome, and it was a proper 3D Sonic title done right. It was fast, colorful, and incredible. The game’s levels were vibrant and full of style, providing one of the most beautiful worlds in the history of the franchise. Sonic Colors was a hectically fast-paced affair that properly captured the spirit and magic that the series had been known for in previous years. This wasn't just one of the best Wii games ever crafted, it was also one of the best Sonic games to come along in recent memory.

What other Wii games left a lasting impression as some of the best experiences the console had to offer? Find out as we continue our coverage of the top 50 Wii games.